Aldrete: No friction in America dressing room

Despite speculation of discord in the Aguilas locker room, the defender claims his team is united in support of coach Miguel Herrera.

Club America defender Adrian Aldrete has quashed suggestions of discord between coach Miguel Herrera and players, amidst mounting speculation of rifts within the locker room.

“It’s pure rumor, if there were problems the team wouldn’t be in the position it is and wouldn’t have the points it has,” Aldrete said in a press conference. “Each player and the coaching staff are fully supportive of this (project).”

Theories about problems within the squad came to the fore when captain Aquivaldo Mosquera was visibly unhappy at being brought off in the club’s 1-1 draw last weekend against Puebla.

Herrera has also taken criticism for recent poor results, but Aldrete believe the Aguilas just need a bit of luck in front of goal.

“We’ve simply not had the fortune of scoring goals like at the start of the tournament, but we have created chances without putting them away,” added Aldrete.

The club’s sporting president Ricardo Pelaez defended the so-called “egoism” of star Ecuadoran striker Christian Benitez, who has also made it clear he hasn’t been happy at being subbed off on a couple of occasions this season.

“We speak regularly with him,” Pelaez told ESPN.

Pelaez explained that he is backing Herrera as coach for his on-the-field record, but that the pair have had disagreements about off-the-field matters.